That might be my next book,” and it’s happened several times. Very often when I’m researching a topic I see something else and that says, “Hey I gotta go back and look at that.

I do all my own research for several reasons. After writing more than 60 books, if I do my research right, if I can’t write it right, then I’d have to throw my pen away. And fortunately for me, that’s what I like to do best. But of course, you can say the same thing about immigration and the people who came from Europe in the late 1800s and 1900s and were willing to risk everything to build a new life, particularly for their children. And these are people risking it all to build a new life. These are, of course, real pioneers and these are very brave people. I think the movement westward and some of the stuff I’ve done on that. I really don’t want to be silly or be vague but, honest to goodness, I’ve researched almost every period and the Civil War period is absolutely fascinating. What time period in American history has been your favorite to research over the years? Why? In addition to 1919, your previous books focus on specific moments or people in history. When they called my name, I couldn’t believe it. Oh my god, I still can’t believe it but it’s wonderful. SLJ spoke to him about his newly bestowed honor, his creative inspiration, and his research process.Ĭongratulations again on the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. This November, the award-winning author earned the 2019 National Book Award for Young People's Literature for 1919: The Year That Changed America (Gr 7 Up, Bloomsbury). Sandler is known for his excellent work in documenting the history of America. 1919 was an explosive year in American history: molasses flooded the town of Boston women fought for the right to vote lynchings of African Americans led to the birth of the civil rights movement the World Series experienced a shocking scandal.

Imprisoned by Martin W. Sandler